Hi All,

I am about 2.5 months into my Naltrexone path. I have a question for you.

Why do YOU continue on the Nal path rather than attempting to be abstinent? That's all I'm going to say so as to not bias any answers, other than to say (because of previous life experience), there is NO judgment in my question, just curiosity.

I look forward to everyone's responses!!!

Peace,
Lisa

The protocol requires alcohol consumption in order to achieve pharmacological extinction. Abstinence per se is a different protocol that may achieve a 10% success rate. TSM has achieved documented success rates of nearly 90% -- the inverse. IOW, pharma extinction cannot be achieved through abstinence. Abstinence is simply a different method entirely, and if it works, it works, so great.

I drank because TSM requires that for success, after I gained control it became a bit of a novelty to be able to go out and drink socially, or have some wine at home. A year or two later I realised I didn't actually enjoy the alcohol, didn't like how it made me feel and realised I was only drinking because I could so I quit.

Now over 4 months alcohol free.

I did attempt abstinence. I needed the naltrexone and extinction to eliminate the craving, compulsion, and mental fixation so that abstinence was feasible.

Melissa,

Wow! You were on the fast track to CURE! Congratulations! I hope to get there soon. What was it like for you? How did it feel and how was Nal drinking different?

Another question I have for all...did you ever consider drinking WITHOUT Nal to get that high? If so, what was it like?

Someone else -- Buena Vista, I think? -- said that drinking alcohol on nal had about as much appeal as drinking radiator fluid. That was pretty much my experience as well. It's pointless. You can get a relaxed and sleeping feeling if you drink enough, but basically there's no reason to drink alcohol without the high.

That first time of nal + al was indescribably frustrating. I craved alcohol desperately and I was drinking alcohol, yet the craving did not abate even slightly. I just had to power through that time and the next couple after it, based on the strength of my commitment. The good part is that it only requires one instant of willpower, just long enough to swallow the pill.

I was never seriously tempted to drink without nal because I knew that I had to do this. To reject a cure would have been a crime against my family -- my son who needs me, my dear and so-patient husband who supported my struggles for so long. My wretched tale of woe is over in the melissa1928 is cured thread:

http://www.thesinclairmethod.net/community/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=3636&sid=54100512bfc2adb521a152ff4c1f75e6

So you'll see why quitting wasn't much of an option.

Because my craving/compulsion/whatever was so very strong, I did have a backup plan for euphoria if I felt I couldn't resist. The plan was to drive to Washington (where pot is legal), buy pot, and spend the night stoned in a motel. The fact that this involved a lot of fuss and expense was a plus because I knew I wouldn't do it on a whim or in a weak moment. I could never make a lifestyle out of spending nights in a different state, and I never used the plan at all because the nal worked so quickly for me.

I should add that to my cured thread, come to think of it. The cure process is at least as important as the drunkalogue.

Hi Lisa

My reason for Nal , is to end up in a situation where I can decide whether or not I want a drink , I may even stop drinking altogether at some stage who knows , but I like to have a few drinks and I hope I will succeed in this with Nal , and not be afraid if I have one drink that it wont lead to a massive binge . I have been abstinent before for a year a couple of times , but I still had a huge fear of drink . I guess I want to cure the problem I have with alcohol and move on once and for all . (I hope Nal will help but I know I need to work on other areas of my life also ) In the past I have changed many of my ways ie training , eating , meditation etc but I always felt I needed a little more help I hope Nal is that extra ingredient . Hope that answers your question from my side All the best , J.

I wanted to eliminate the craving. So far so good!

Looking back, I wanted to escape compulsion. I also never wanted to be 100% abstinent, although one day maybe I will. Alcohol, to me, is an enjoyable part of life if done wisely and in moderation (the hard part, right?). I haven't exactly been able to maintain that wisdom / moderation for long.

Hi all! so many great and interesting responses!

I have been thinking about the question I posed, in part Because I' belong to a SMART recovery group. All of the participants there are abstinent or trying to be abstinent. I attempted abstinence for several years of my very short six-year drinking career, including AA meetings 1 to 3 times per day. I found I was not good at abstinence. Of course, in AA, that made me feel like a loser

I like this path. I have achieved harm reduction at this point. And I'm lazy about everyday stuff. Maybe that made sobriety difficult?